English and Language Arts (ELA) Archives

Nicole Ziccardi

September 29, 2024

Nicole Ziccardi, Ed.M. is a trusted partner in helping schools and families design and implement transformational instructional programs. With over 18 years of diverse experience in the education field, Nicole brings a deep commitment to building students’ confidence, independence, and a genuine love of learning.

After working as a classroom teacher in NYC public schools, Nicole went on to found a NYC public school as principal. She later served in key roles at prominent private schools, first as a Learning Specialist, and then as a Dean of Faculty and Director of Curriculum. This extensive background has given Nicole unparalleled insight into the complex work of supporting students in various educational settings.

As a certified literacy specialist and a graduate of Teachers College, Columbia University, Nicole draws on the latest research in child development, pedagogy, cognitive science, and educational technology to collaborate with schools and families. Together, they create and implement customized plans, instructional coaching, and curriculum resources that engage all learners, particularly students with neurodivergence, executive functioning challenges, and reading disorders.

Nicole’s work is rooted in a deep understanding that every child is unique, with their own strengths, interests, and learning needs. She partners with clients to design and implement strengths-based, skills-focused strategies that are not only standards-aligned, but also deeply engaging for diverse learners.

Nicole has a natural ability to understand and leverage the local school context, building trusting relationships and offering customized solutions to meet the unique needs of each child. Whether it’s reviewing neuropsychological reports, conducting diagnostic assessments, creating learning support plans, or providing direct school consultation, Nicole approaches each project with empathy, expertise, and a steadfast commitment to educational equity.

As a mother of two school-aged boys, Nicole also deeply empathizes with the challenges families face. She fosters strong parent-school partnerships, focused on integrating social-emotional supports and unlocking the learning resources students need to thrive. Nicole brings a common-sense, whole-hearted approach to decision-making, always keeping the best interests of children at the forefront.

Nicole is excited to join My Learning Springboard, where she can offer a wide range of services to pinpoint and respond to each family’s unique needs. Her specialties include:

Neuropsychological report review and interpretation
Diagnostic assessments and learning evaluations
Customized learning support plans
Direct school consultation and family advocacy
Personalized tutoring and family coaching

Through her work, Nicole empowers educators, students, and families to unlock the full potential of every learner. She is passionate about transforming teaching and learning, and she is dedicated to creating the engaging, equitable learning environments that all children deserve.

Emily Hughart

September 29, 2024

With over a decade of teaching experience, Emily Hughart combines a deep passion for education with a commitment to fostering sincere connections with her students and their families. Equipped with a Master’s degree in English literature from King’s College London, Emily taught English composition courses at the college level before moving to New York City and finding her life’s work in teaching adolescent students.

For the past five years, Emily has taught middle and high school English in both private and public schools in the New York City area. Her expertise extends to one-on-one private tutoring — her favorite medium of teaching —where she specializes in supporting students with ADHD, writing remediation, and guiding high school applicants through the complexities of essays and standardized test preparation, including the ISEE and SHSAT. Believing that essay planning and executive functioning are delicately intertwined, Emily’s writing sessions are structured using SRSD (self-regulated strategy development) principles. She is an active member of CHADD, an organization that provides education, advocacy, and support for individuals with ADHD and their families.

Emily takes pride in her responsiveness and empathetic approach to academic agency; she celebrates her students achievements whether big or small. When not working, she can either be found playing keyboards in her post-punk band, Lost Decades, solving the NY Times Sunday crossword with her husband, or in the Tompkins Square Park playground pushing her baby son, Emmett, in the bucket swings.

Jenna Denino

September 29, 2024

Jenna Denino is a dedicated teacher and private tutor with over a decade of experience with New York City students. After receiving a BA in Neuroscience and Psychology and a minor in Fine Arts from Washington University in St. Louis in 2012, Jenna decided to pursue a career in education. Her interest in brain science, psychology, learning, and creativity drove her to develop a holistic pedagogical approach that recognizes the uniqueness of each student. She prioritizes relationship building and trust as a foundation for solid learning partnerships and works hard to understand her students’ academic and social needs. She has been an active classroom teacher for twelve years and has robust tutoring experience in all subject areas, including all levels of math and science. Moreover, Jenna coaches students across all sections of the SAT, ACT, and ISEE. And she always integrates executive function coaching into her private tutoring and test preparation work.

Jenna earned a Master’s in Education from Long Island University in 2014, which prepared her with the skills needed to teach students with a range of needs and abilities. Certified in both special education and science, Jenna has taught students of every academic level. She approaches her work with students as strength-based, leveraging each student’s interests and strengths to build confidence and achieve educational goals. Students with disabilities, students performing above grade level, and everyone in between have succeeded with Jenna.

As a lifelong learner, Jenna always seeks opportunities to further her education. As a member of the Math for America Master Teacher Fellowship, Jenna actively attends classes and seminars with a community of exceptional math and science teachers. She is also pursuing a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University to expand her skillset in supporting adolescents in developing the social and emotional strategies they need to thrive into adulthood.

Brielle Babiar

September 29, 2024

Brielle Babiar is an experienced writing coach, English professor, and academic tutor with over a decade of experience in education and pedagogy. With a teaching background in both secondary and higher education, she has a comprehensive understanding of students’ academic journeys. Her tutoring sessions offer inspiring and thoughtful instruction. She has an engaging teaching style that prioritizes curiosity and critical thinking, encouraging her students to ask questions and take ownership of their education.

Over the course of ten years, she has helped more than 200 students secure admission to top universities and gain scholarships. During the pandemic, and in response to the limitations of traditional test preparation programs, Brielle developed a comprehensive curriculum to guide students through the college test preparation and application season. She believes that college prep should not be a daunting, one-size-fits-all process, but instead an opportunity for students to discover their academic strengths and passions.

Brielle holds an MFA in Fiction from Hunter College, where she had the privilege of working with mentors such as Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Haslett, National Book Award winner Sigrid Nunez, and Booker Prize-winning novelist Peter Carey. There she completed her first novel and began her second—both works of literary fiction rooted in historical settings. She was also the recipient of the Hertog Fellowship. Her current academic research spans topics such as obscene modernism, rejection, and women’s studies, with a particular interest in Lawrence Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet.

In her current role as an adjunct professor at Hunter College, Brielle teaches composition, literary studies, and creative writing. She is also an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where she teaches courses on business communication, arts and design writing, rhetoric, and research methodologies. While at the University of Rhode Island, she taught communication courses.

Her interdisciplinary foundation enables her to tutor language arts, literature, history, and communication. Most of all, however, Brielle is truly passionate about writing and helping students feel the same love for the craft, honing students’ creative habits in the process. Whether coaching a student through an essay, brainstorming college personal statements, offering mentorship for standardized tests, or rigorously reviewing for AP exams, Brielle strives to make each session enjoyable and challenging. Her goal is to help students feel confident in their abilities, ready to meet the demands of high school, college, and beyond.

When she’s not teaching, Brielle is working on her own fiction projects, including short stories and her second novel. She enjoys early mornings, cappuccinos, and long walks with her dog along Riverside Park. She also has a deep appreciation for the art of breadmaking and is in the perpetual search for the perfect loaf of sourdough.

Dara Herschenfeld

September 29, 2024

Dara Herschenfed is a seasoned educator with over 15 years of experience in the education field. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University (2007) and a Master’s degree in Education from Hunter College. Dara also holds a certification in Special Education, enabling her to work with students with learning disabilities. Throughout her career, she has gained extensive experience across diverse educational settings, including preschools, private and public elementary schools, international schools, and special education institutions.

In 2021, Dara pursued coursework towards a School Building Leadership certificate at St. John’s University, preparing her to transition into an administrative role. Currently, she serves as the Special Education Advocate at a bilingual French-American school, where she acts as the liaison between the school and the Department of Education. In this role, Dara ensures that students’ Individualized Education Service Plans (IESPs) are fully implemented and that their rights are upheld. She also manages the hiring and coordination of external service providers, including SETSS, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy, while overseeing scheduling and resource allocation within the school.

In addition to her administrative duties, Dara provides direct support to students facing academic challenges. She offers both one-on-one and group interventions, tailoring her approach to each student’s specific needs through push-in and pull-out sessions. Dara is committed to meeting students where they are and fostering their academic growth through encouragement and structured support. This year, she introduced the SMARTS curriculum—an evidence-based executive functioning program designed to improve students’ organizational, time management, and executive functioning skills—into her sessions, yielding positive outcomes.

Beyond her advocacy and teaching roles, Dara has extensive experience as a tutor, working with students from Pre-K to 5th grade in reading, writing, math, and executive functioning skills. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing pickleball, and attending Broadway performances.

Nicole Ziccardi

Emily Hughart

Jenna Denino

Brielle Babiar

Dara Herschenfeld

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